RB Leipzig – VfB Stuttgart
German soccer fans are experiencing a plethora of games at the moment. The Bundesliga is in full swing and no sooner is the first matchday over than the first duel of the second matchday is on the agenda. RB Leipzig opens the next round of the Bundesliga at home against VfB Stuttgart. Our forecast for the outcome of this duel can be found in our Leipzig – Stuttgart tip.
RB Leipzig really turned up the heat in the Supercup and dispatched FC Bayern München 3:0. At the start of the new Bundesliga season, however, RasenBallsport failed to score the desired first win of the season. The Saxons lost 3-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in what was at times a very high-class game.
VfB Stuttgart was deep in the relegation battle in the preseason and ultimately only saved itself in the relegation against Hamburger SV. However, the Swabians got off to a perfect start to the season the previous week. Against VfL Bochum, VfB delivered a squeaky-clean performance and won by an outstanding 5:0. Thanks to this resounding victory, Stuttgart now even enters Matchday 2 as the league leader.
Leipzig – Stuttgart info:
- Date & Time: 08/25/2023, 20:30 hrs.
- Game venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
- Competition: Bundesliga, 2nd Matchday
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Leipzig form & balance check
For several years, RB Leipzig established itself as a fixture in the German soccer world, although certainly not all soccer enthusiasts consider the team a favorite. In particular, RB Leipzig has cemented its position in German soccer with back-to-back DFB Cup successes and a run to the Champions League semifinals in 2020.
Then, two weeks ago, RB also lifted the first Supercup in the club’s history. The Saxons won 3-0 against FC Bayern at the Allianz Arena. However, the league season kicked off with a defeat the previous week, when RB lost 3-2 at Leverkusen.
Olmo moves into the spotlight
Christopher Nkunku tied with Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug for the Bundesliga scoring crown last year with 16 goals. Following the Frenchman’s departure, however, other players will come into focus in RB’s offense this season.
One of these players will most likely be Dani Olmo. The Spaniard put in an impressive performance in the opening duels this season, both in the Supercup against FC Bayern and in the Bundesliga against Leverkusen. The 25-year-old produced a total of four shots on goal and each of them found their way into the net.
Leipzig facts & analysis
- Last season in 3rd place in the Bundesliga.
- Lost 2:3 in Leverkusen the previous week
- Reigning DFB Cup winner
Stuttgart form & balance check
The last few years, VfB Stuttgart always had a talented team. However, the Swabians were still stuck in the relegation battle year after year. Last year, too, VfB fought to the end and only avoided relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga in the relegation against HSV.
With coach Sebastian Hoeneß, the aim this season is to finally move up the table again. After a successful cup performance against Balingen, VfB started the new season in the Bundesliga with a convincing success the previous week. Against VfL Bochum, the team scored an outstanding 5:0 victory.
Change madness at the Neckar
In the preseason, Sasa Kalajdzic only changed shortly before the end of the season and thus shook up the plans of the Swabians. And also in this season, VfB has to endure some departures shortly before the end of the transfer period. Long-time captain Wataru Endo moved to Liverpool in the Premier League the previous week.
And defender Konstantinos Mavropanos also moved to the island. The Greek recently moved to Conference League winners West Ham United. And his defensive colleague Borna Sosa could also leave VfB this summer. Accordingly, the next few days will be stressful for those responsible for the Swabians.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
- Placed 16th in the Bundesliga in the preseason.
- Still without conceding a goal this season
- Won 5-0 against Bochum in the previous week
Predicted lineup – last update on August 23, 2023
Leipzig will again go with a 4-4-2, with the central midfielders a bit more withdrawn. Despite the defeat in Leverkusen, coach Marco Rose probably won’t change much. New signing Castello Lukeba, however, could move into the starting eleven.
The visitors from Stuttgart did not rely on the usual three-man backline on the first matchday, but on a 4-2-3-1. After the 5-0 win against Bochum, we expect the Swabians to play in this system on Friday as well. Undav, Kastanaras, Ulrich, Nartey and Vagnoman will probably be out, though.
Leipzig – Stuttgart direct comparison & statistics
So far, the two teams have faced each other in ten competitive matches and Stuttgart have never left the field as winners. VfB have only managed two draws against RB so far. In the first match of the preseason, the teams parted with a 1-1 draw. The goal scorers then were Ahmada and Nkunku. Both players are now away from their clubs. In the second leg, the Saxons triumphed 2-1, with Szoboszlai scoring twice, who is now also no longer playing for Leipzig.
- Stuttgart never won against Leipzig before.
- The goal difference in direct duels is currently 18:3 for Leipzig
- Both teams were separated by 33 points in the preseason
